Iron Boy (original French title: Le Corset) is a watercolour animation feature that follows 11 year old Christophe, who begins to feel betrayed by his body, pushing him further away from his rigid farmer father. Here’s why you should watch it!
It’s like watching a watercolour painting come to life!
A story and art style that could happily sit next to Studio Ghibli and Disney Pixar animations, I found a peace in this film that is only granted with art of this nature. You feel every breath, every move, every mistake the characters make, joining them in a beautiful journey that I adored watching on the big screen. The use of yellows, browns, greys and blues neatly worked together to introduce us to places like corn fields and shadowy church spaces, brought to life by black ink pen organising the images on screen.
It’s set in the late 80s!
This may seem like a random reason for some, but as we’re constantly bombarded with fast paced modern life, it’s lovely to be in a tech free zone within a small French town. There are echoes of 80s electronica, and a nostalgia for a time when growing up outside during long hot summers were our only problems.
It’s a wonderful coming of age story!
Soon into the film, Christophe and his family discover he needs a body and neck brace to straighten his back. Inspired by the creator’s own story of needing to wear one until the age of 10, it amplifies Christophe’s frustrations even though he tries to comply initially. There’s friction with his brother and father, as he wants to do his duty on the farm but isn’t trusted. But choosing his own destiny doesn’t bring joy immediately either. With a new crush and hobby, Christophe must work with his new body to make sure his teens don’t pass him by.
Rated PG in the UK, it’s a brilliant story to watch with the whole family, or on your own to enjoy the adventure.
Disability is seen as a super power!
Sure, Christophe wrestles with his diagnosis when first given, but he soon comes to see it as something that’s just part of him and life can continue. However it does push him to see the world in a new way, discovering joy and love when he may not have before.
See Iron Boy in cinemas from October, with some territories screening from January 2027.
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